M Nocera1, T M Chu. 1. Department of Diagnostic Immunology Research and Biochemistry, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, New York State Department of Health, Buffalo 14263.
Abstract
PROBLEM: Human seminal plasma is known to exhibit immunosuppressive activity in seminal plasma. PURPOSE: The purpose was to characterize immunosuppressive proteins in seminal plasma. METHOD: Gel filtration fractions of 100 to > 440 kDa were identified that inhibited DNA synthesis and killing activity of interleukin-2 stimulated lymphocytes. RESULTS: The fractions exhibiting immunosuppression also inhibited DNA synthesis in a mink lung cell bioassay commonly used to measure the activity for transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). The negative growth activity was diminished by a TGF-beta neutralizing monoclonal antibody. TGF-beta was further detected in the active fractions by Western immunoblot. CONCLUSIONS: These results identified TGF-beta as an immunosuppressive protein in human seminal plasma and may provide insight into the role of immunosuppression played by seminal plasma, such as in reproduction and neoplasia.
PROBLEM: Human seminal plasma is known to exhibit immunosuppressive activity in seminal plasma. PURPOSE: The purpose was to characterize immunosuppressive proteins in seminal plasma. METHOD: Gel filtration fractions of 100 to > 440 kDa were identified that inhibited DNA synthesis and killing activity of interleukin-2 stimulated lymphocytes. RESULTS: The fractions exhibiting immunosuppression also inhibited DNA synthesis in a mink lung cell bioassay commonly used to measure the activity for transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). The negative growth activity was diminished by a TGF-beta neutralizing monoclonal antibody. TGF-beta was further detected in the active fractions by Western immunoblot. CONCLUSIONS: These results identified TGF-beta as an immunosuppressive protein in human seminal plasma and may provide insight into the role of immunosuppression played by seminal plasma, such as in reproduction and neoplasia.